The Torment Lives On

As everyone should know by now the Green Bay Packers are moving on the NFL Championship game after beating the F out of the Falcons Saturday Night.The game was torture to watch the Packers were victorious by a score of 48-21.

The Mouser Rodgers picked apart the Falcons pass defense for most of the game throwing for 366 yards and 3 TD and 1 rushing. The other thing that amazed me in that game he threw ONLY 5 incomplete passes. Just think if the 49ers would have chose him instead of Alex Smith.

The Packers did not rush the ball effectively, but enough to fool the Falcons. I am not sure how you could think that the Packers were going to run the ball in the 1st place. The only thing that they have done good this season is pass the ball.

The defense for the Packer was led by the Clay Greaseball Matthews. The Falcons offense were not able to get anything going in the game. It was mistake after mistake in the game. The biggest mistake came when there was less than 10 ticks left in the half and Matt Ryan threw a pass that was intercepted by Tramon Williams that went 70 yards for a TD. With that score the Packers went into the locker room with a 14 point lead.

With the win the Packers and da Bears will be facing off in the NFC Championship. Right now I would rather see the Bears make the Super Bowl over the Packers. The Bears have been a team that people have said that they are not for real and will be knocked out the playoffs if they make it all season. It should be a good game.

GO BEARS!!!

Vikes Fumble Away The NFC Championship

The game the transpired last night was not the same 2009 Vikes that everyone saw throughout the season. The Vikes have 5 turnover (3 fumbles)  in the 31-28 OT loss.Two of the turnovers were in their red zone. The Saints gave the Vikes enough opportunities  to win this NFC Championship and be going to Miami. Now the Vikes are 0-5 since their last Super Bowl appearance.

The defense did a good job throughout this game to keep the Vikes in this game after the offense committed mistake after mistake. The Viking defense help the Saint under 300 total yards this season. This is something not that man team have been able to do for most of the season. To start the game, the Saints were diving down the field with not much of a problem. In the second quarter  and on the Vikes were holding the NFL's  best offense throughout this game. Chad Greenway had another big game for the Vikes with 7 tackles. The Saint offensive line did a great job protecting Drew Brees throughout this game. The Saint line allowed 1 sack and was rarely scraping himself off the Superdome turf. The time that the defense really did falter was in the OT session. The Saints were driving down the field and capitalizing on Viking miscues and mistakes. This lead the Saint to attempt and nail a 40 yard fail goal behind the leg of Garrett Hartley, to set the Saints to Miami.

On offense the Vikes did not have a good game is an understatement. The defense of the Saints had a plan pressure and knock down Favre as much as possible. The Saint showed that early in the game and did do let up.Brett Favre had also suffered a lower ankle injury in the game by a non-call of the Brady Rule.The NFL's ironman did not miss a offensive play in this game.He was not sacked in the game he was peeling himself off the turf all game long.The first two Viking drives the Vikes were getting yards in chunks and exposing the Saints defense scoring two TDs. After that the Saints defense tightened up and let the Viking miscues start to fly. The Vikes turnover did indeed cost them the chance to go to Miami to face the Colts. With the game notched at 28 each and Vikes driving late in the game with less than a minute left. The Vikes were on the edge of field goal range of Longwell 51 yards. The Vikes were flagged for have 12 men in the huddle and a mental error and put them out of range(56 yards). The next play Favre did not have a receiver and tries to make something happen threw the ball in Rice's area and was intercepted  for last time Favre would get his hands on the ball. 
Despite the Peterson fumbling the ball twice, he had his best game in quite a while. Peterson ran for 122 yards on 25 carries and 3 TDs. In my opinion, Peterson is much like Favre. You can take the fumbles with his great runs and power to run over defenders. Favre had over 300 yards passing with 1 TD but 2 INTs. Both men played hell of a game with turnover both incurred in this game.

It sure was a great ride on the 2009 Vikings. No matter what happens we still have our loved ones and jobs to go to. This has been a great season and now the questions start up. Will Favre be back next season? Will Vikes look for a legitimate QB of the future? Will the Vikes get their stadium or will they be moving?

NFC Preview: Vikes @ Saints

This is the game is what Brett Favre was brought here to do, to make the Vikes offense something to be feared. It has been obvious that the Vikes have been a QB away from being a great football team. With the Vikings now one of the 4 teams left playing this weekend, now that is something to be said. The Vikes travel from undefeated streak 9-0 from their dome to the Saints dome in the Bayou. The Vikes have a tough task ahead of them on Sunday.

In this matchup both team have a pass first approach offense for most of the season. The Saints ranked in the top 5 in total yards,points passing yards a game. The Vikes defense does have pressure on them. The Vikes defense has been kn own and proven that it is able to stop a dual threat running attack. Just look at what they were able to last week against Dallas. The Vikes front seven were terrorizing the Cowboys running game from most of the game. There were some busts by Felix Jones, but nothing to gain momentum. The Vikes defense scheme will need to stop the Saints running attack that averaged 131 yards a game in the season. The key is to stop Reggie Bush, however the Saint try to get him the ball. He is a very versatile back. He rushed outside the tackles or catching flare. The Vikes tackle is going to be key again this week.

The Vikes pass rush is also going to be important, to key Brees out of timing with his receivers. The Vikes have to flush Brees out of the pocket in order for the Saint to make mistakes throwing the ball. This Saints team does remind of the '98 Vikings. A high flying pass offense and a defense that just has to do enough to win the game. The Saint might be doing a lot of quick passing attack against the Vikes. Look at what the Vikes did to Romo last weekend. As long as the Vikes can keep pressure on Brees,knocking him down and keeping him from getting on a roll.Everything should work out on the defense side of the ball.

For the Vikes offense, as I said earlier they are one of the top offenses in the league this season. I do not think that the Saints have enough to stop Favre and Peterson in this game. This is the type of a game that Peterson can just run wild. Lat season Peterson was held in check against the Saints. Now the Vikes have a passing attack that not many team have been able to stop this season. Favre and Rice have been specular this season. Peterson yardage output has been down the pass 8 games, he has not ran over 100 yards in a game. If the Vikes can get constant output by Peterson, he still has the threat of breaking one deep one. Against this Saints defense, it can happen this Sunday and hopefully often.

If Favre has as much protection as he did last week. The line will need to step up again this week and keep the pocket intact so that Favre can find Rice, Berrian and Shanks down the field. The Saints defense has not had a great season being in the lower third of most categories this season. The big plays are out there for the Vikes to make. How the Vikes will exploit the Saints and how often is going to be how the Vikes make it to Miami.

I have been on edge about this game for most of the week, but I was feeling the same last week against the Cowboys and look how that turned out.. It would be sweet to have my Vikings to go to the Super Bowl and in May, my wife and I are having an edition a lil Viking fan of course.

SKOL VIKINGS!!!!!!!

Friday Preview:Cowboys @ Vikings

With the day fast approaching for the Cowboys and Vikes date on Sunday. The Vikes had last week off with one of the team that earned a 1st round bye, at least one week the Viking fans were not stressed out. I feel that it is kind of funny that in Week 17, every Viking fan was a Cowboy fan, but now look at us now. The Cowboy helped us out in Week 17 and we received a first round bye. Now face dos Cowboys in the divisional round of the postseason. Here are some unkindly numbers for you to look at the Cowboys have the advantage over the Vikes in the playoffs 4-2.

I am just glad that the Vikes are at home for this game at least, this season they are a perfect 8-0, the Vikes aver 32 points per game and their opponent is averaging a 15 points per game. Now that would be a great game, and the Cowboys have been averaging about that number on the road with about 20 point per road game. Both team are evenly matched right across the board. The Cowboys have been on a hot streak since the win against the Saints. With ESPN reporting all week that the Vikes do not have enough magic to stop this Cowboys team. The experts have spoken2-8 have chosen the Vikes to continue the match in the playoffs. This this does not shock me whatsoever the Cowboys have always been a team that ESPN thrives to find a to talk about.

When the red hot Cowboys come to town to face our Minnesota Vikings, it should be a good one this weekend. What do the Vikes need to do earn a spot for the NFC Championship game?
 On offense, the Vikes will need to try to keep this game balance(as long as Chilly keeps it that way).
Establish the run 1st. Adrian Peterson is the best and primer running back that Cowboys have faced all season long. We will see as well if the Vikes can blow the Cowboys off the line.The 'boys will aim to stop Peterson to make the Vikes one dimensional. As long as the coaching  staff does not call less then 20 running plays in the game, the should have a good day on the ground.
Protect the old man. The Vikes line is going to be under pressure to keep Favre upright for this game. If the line can give Favre enough time to find a open receiver whomever it may be, the passing game will be rolling. The Vikes will go as far as Favre's arm will take them into the post season. I don't think that Dallas DBs can cover all our receivers, so someone will be open for Favre to find. Who will the Cowboys try to stop the running game(everyone try thins) or Favre and the aerial attack?

On defense the Vikes will have to stop Tony Romo and Co. from marching down the field on them. The Cowboys are 2nd in the league with total yards.The Cowboys are a team that relies on fakes, draws and screen. The defense will have to stay in position and not get sucked out with a fake play. Being alert of the what the Cowboys are doing is a key in stopping this offense hailing from Dallas.The Vikes will need to tackle well in this game. In December, the Vikes could not tackle whatsoever. This team will make you pay if the Vikes cannot stop the Cowboys at the point of attack. The pass rush of the Vikes with Allen and Co. will have to be constantly knocking down Romo and would love to see many Sac 'em and Rope 'em celebrations.If the defnese from 4 can get Romo and make him make bad decision it should be a great game for Viking fans.Do not give up the big plays and keep the Cowboys offense off the field as much as possible. Talking about the big plays, the Viking DBs cannot let the receivers get behind them. The Vikings secondary has been their Achilles heel for the past couple of season, since the Vikes have become of the best rush defenses. At the safety position, it look like that Sanford and Johnson will be splitting time for this game. Both are unsure who will be on the field more often.
The defense also needs to get the Thunderdome involved early. It is a fact that visiting team HATE coming here, with the crowd noise and everything. Come of fans make it a difficult say for the Cowboys in the Twin Cities and make it a LOG jet ride home back to Dallas.

SKOL VIKINGS

Vikes and Cowboys Make Date Official

With the Cowboys on a war path since beating the Saints. The 'Boys continued it against the Eagles for the second straight week. Now it the Vikes will be facing the team that handed them the week off and at least 1 home game for the playoffs.
As the saying goes, the Cowboys are peeking at the right time, what better of a time than Week 15 and on. The Vikes and the Cowboys game will be a media circus. Why is that? Maybe this is the 1st Cowboys playoff VICTORY in 13 years.  There will be more this week about the Cowboy vs Vikings Divisional Playoff game.

It is just scary that defense that Dallas has and some of the line issues the Vikes had in this season, YES issues McKinnie!!

Viking Despair: Eagles 26 Vikes 14

Eagles-Vikings Boxscore

There was a reason why the Eagles were favored in this game that was played at the Thunderdome. The Eagles have something that the Viking have had a big question mark all season a NFL starting QB.
The Vikes were without a couple of key players in this game: Phat Pat Williams, Ray Edwards, and Artis Hicks. This game was a defensive battle most of the game. There were two KEY plays that the Eagles made that did the Vikes in. The interception for a touchdown thrown by Tarvaris Jackson and the 71 yard touchdown screen pass to Brian Westbrook in the fourth quarter that put the final nail in the coffin for the Vikes season.
In the first half, the Viking offense was dong okay, but in the second half the Eagles defense really got to Jackson. For the game, he was 15-35 164 yards passing 1INT(went for a TD). The way that Jackson played just showned Viking fan that he clearly is not that answer at the quarterback position.
Adrain Peterson had a good day against a decent Eagles team. He ran for 83 yards two touchdowns(44,3), but both were in the first half.

The special teams were not help either with the Eagles having good field postion most of the game with the contrubition of DeSean Jackson.

The defense played a solid game most of the night with the exception of the Brain Westbrook 71 yard touchdown reception. Jared Allen was a freak on a leash with two sacks a forced fumbled that Fred Evans recovered. Inside a minute, Cedric Griffin interception a McNabb pass. Even without Phat pat the Eagles were not able to run the ball much at all, they had a couple of nice runs bur nothing they could keep going. McNabb had a good game against the Vikes again passing for 300 yards.

With the questions of what the Vikes will be doing at the QB position still remain. Will the Vikes take a closer look at John David Booty, give up 2 1st round draft picks Matt Cassel, free agentcy or try drafting an unproven rookie QB.
The season was a roller coaster one as always with the Vikes up and down. Now it is down for a couple more months. This season, they won the NFC North (the first title in 8 years), made the playoffs(1st in 4 years),Adrain Peterson won the rushing title(1st Viking ever to do this),Berrain and Allen performed worth what the Vikes signed for them.Overall, it was kind of disappointing, because any fan wants their team to go and win the Super Bowl, but they did make the playoffs. We shall see what next year will hold for us.

WildCard Game:Eagles(9-6-1) vs Vikings(10-6)

This game on Sunday will be an interesting one. The Eagles and Viking are like one another in many ways. You just do not know which team will be showing up on any particular Sunday.For the Vikes will the team that inched pass the Lions or will they put a game together like they did against the Bears at the Thunderdome. For the Eagles, will the team that tied the Bengals or the team the beat the Giants come out of the locker room.

The team statistically are a very close match. On the offense side of the ball, the Eagles have the edge with a pretty good passing game. Viking fans know that our secondary has been giving us fits for the past couple of years. What we do not have in a QB we have in NFL league leader in Adrian Peterson that can turn the game around with a blink of an eye. The Vikes announced that Phat Pat will be returned for the playoffs. So this is a bummer for the Eagles not they have to content with the WALL.
In the playoffs, the thing that kills you most is turnovers. The team controls the turnover battle will be the victor on Sunday.If the Vikes win they will be playing the Panthers abd if the Eagles win they will be playing the Giants.

Crazy playoff weekend

On Saturdays games the teams that came out on top were kind of expected.The 1st game on the day was the Seahawks traveling to the frozen Tundra to face off against the Packers. It was not looking to pretty for GB to start the first 2 drive. Both ended with a Ryan Grant fumble loss. The Seahawks capitalized off the turnovers with a TDs. After that Grant torn apart the 'Hawks defense rushing over 200 yards and 3 Tds.Both of which are franchise are playoff records.It was a hard game for me to watch. I was not expecting the Seahawks team all together to play to pathetic.The Packers accumulated over 400 total yards on a top 10 rate defense.The game finally came to an end.Seahawks 20 Green Bay 42

On the later game was the Jacksonvile Jaguars going to take on the Patroits of New Enland.
The Jags and the Pats were neck and neck most of the game. Then came Tom Brady and company showing why they are still perfect.The Pats gave the Jags a good dose of pass and run in which they did very efficiently.In the 3rd quarter, the Pats pulled with a 14 point quarter. Tom Brady set yet another record in the game going 26-of-28 for 262 yards for 3 TDs after completing his 16 passes. He now has the record for the best passing efficiency for a game.This performance was with Randy Moss playing a decoy much of the game to throw off the secondary.The Pats advance the AFC Championship again 31-20.

On Sunday was a day of surprises I was not expected either team to come out on top. The first game Chargers faced the Colts for the AFC game. This was a rough good 'ol fashion smash mouth football game. Considering the LT(NFL's rushing title holder) and Philip Rivers were out for much of the second half.Who would have theought that the Colt were going to be defended 28-24 by Billy Voleck at the QB and Micheal Turner as the half back most of the second half.This is a great example to have faith and development in your reserves. In the 4th quarter, The Indy defense were pushed around with ease by the OL of the Chargers.It was a sight to see after the Colts go to the Bolts once again this season.

Now the last game of the day. The Giants face the Cowboys in the NFC game again.The Giants defense harassed Tony Romo most of the game. Keeping constant pressure on him knocking him down and sacking him.Who knew that the only Manning left standing is Eli.The Giants did not get the ball all that much but scored when they did.The Cowboy changed their offensive scheme for this game for some reason. Not that sure why they did taking their time an drive and taking time off the clock.The Cowboys were at the goal line with under a minute left from scoring a TD and then on 4th down R.W. McQuarters had two huge plays that led the Giants to the win. His punt return set up the Giants' go-ahead touchdown and his interception, sealed the victory.

Championship Sunday

Chagers @ Patroits 300 on CBS
Giants @ Packers 530 on Fox

My playoff picks

With week 2 of the NFL playoffs under way come Sunday Night half the teams will be going back home with the bad taste of flem in their mouth.

My picks for the NFC are:

Seattle 27
Green Bay 24

Dallas 24
Giants 17



MY AFC picks:

Jags 27
Pats 26

Colts 49
SD 30


Here are my picks we will all see if they are right come Sunday Night.